Abstract:
This article is an attempt to engage in a conversation between biblical scholars and their dogmatic colleagues on the issue of the inspiration of the Bible. It is argued that current theories on the inspiration of the Bible can no longer be maintained in the light of our knowledge of the origin and growth of especially the Old Testament. Because of the fact that the Old Testament came into being over a considerable period of time, the idea of inspiration should be broadened to include the whole process of canonization. The idea of inspiration should be broadened even further to include the translation and preaching of the Bible. In the end it is stated that the inspiration of the Bible is something that cannot be captured in a theory, it can only be confessed as part of the faith of believers.